cook

case manager

Ray of Hope

At the community centre, there is not a lot of guidance for volunteers on what to do in situations that could be potentially harmful or result in negative outcomes. Most of the floor supervisors at the community centre are concerned with their social life with the volunteers and students.

Higher management frowns on serving people after designated meal times even if they have a legitimate reason. No accommodations made for special diets, allergies, etc. If you try to do otherwise, you are accused of “favouritism” meanwhile most of the floor supervisors do this anyways and face no consequence.

The volunteer screening is poor. The training manual is poor. Volunteers don’t realize this is the front line and they are walking alongside people who inject drugs merely feet away from them in the bathrooms. They have no idea there is drug deals, overdoses, and people with severe mental health challenges. I’ve seen ill-prepared, ill-informed volunteers cringe and scoff at some of the goings on. They have no idea how to react or what to do. 

Upper management needs to spend more time on the floor to actually see what is happening. I’m sure all the stakeholders, key informants, and financial supporters have no idea the bathrooms there are basically injection sites. Not even safe ones at that. 

The community centre has such potential and does so many great things, unfortunately, it’s held back by inflated egos, poor decision making, and seat warmers.

From my experience, Ray of Hope is a place to gain some experience and leave quickly. The management is skilled in pretending to care about needs and issues, but there are so many internal flaws and inflated egos - especially with upper management. 

You will not be given space to advance and you will not be supported in your role. There's a very high turnover rate, and even those who have volunteered there for a long time and devoted many years aren't regarded as valuable. The volunteer management team is jaded, distanced, and very cold. 

Not the type of employees/employers you would expect to work at a faith-based centre as they have zero compassion or warmth for anyone in that building (the guests - I.e.  homeless people, the volunteers, or the general staff at different levels). 

Leaving was my only good choice here.

A typical day saw me monitoring the residents within the Secure Custody for Young Offenders.  My position as a direct child care worker had me completing various responsibilities through out my shift.  I always had the pleasure of having constant training to better myself in my roles.
Management was always assisting, encouraging , and directing me when needed.
Co-workers were awesome and fun to work with in a team fostered environment.
The hardest part of the job was physically restraining youth when needed, not because I wasn't properly trained but because of the emotional frustration the youths had.
The most enjoyable aspect of the job was the constant interacting with the youth.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The best part is building rapport with the patrons

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Management doesn't manage. They lack any competency, they don't care about the patrons or staff. Very clicky environment reminded me of highschool. Not professional at all, management is not there to work, but to put you to work. The good/caring staff are not treated well, again if your not apart of the "click" your really just a labourer in their world.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Culture is terrible. Does not represent the false image they portray. Money centered, not about the patrons at all.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The connection and interactions with the youth. If they liked you they would do everything to ensure that you wouldn't get hurt if anything was to happen such as a fight and they would comply if you asked them to do something 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
It could be overwhelming at times with the youth trying to set up fights and be boys


What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Fairly good everyone got along or pretended to 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Busy with breakfast showers court appointments doctors appointments recreation time lunch and other various activities

I enjoyed working at Ray of Hope. It provides a diverse work environment with a focus on helping newly arrived refugees receive housing and stability in Canada. I learned a lot about the refugee system and what they have to go through to receive status. I worked in a very small team, which was a cool experience. 
The hardest part of the job for me was feeling useful. I was the youngest on the team and had no prior education or knowledge of the refugee process, so although I learned a lot, I struggled to feel as though I could really contribute. 
However, I loved the challenge and came to really respect and enjoy the people living at Welcome Home.

Volunteering consists of interacting with any person who wishes to drop in at the community center that day. It is entirely optional, but i have become familiar with the regulars. 
I assist them with doing their laundry, allowing them to have showers, administering them food tickets and supplying them with coffee and treats. 
I also interact with them on a friendship and caring level. This consists of simply just chatting, or playing board games, cards, pool, etc. 
This is a very rewarding position as it allows me to interact with people I might not have otherwise.

The management at Ray of Hope has 0 value for their employees, will constantly work you through harmful and stressful crisis situations and then question why you are burnt out. The management also has 0 value for their clients. Management will not answer their phones during crisis when on call, will constantly leave you short staffed in high risk situations. This is a harmful workplace and if you value your mental health at all look elsewhere

This place is very bad to work I don’t recommend it. They got rid of a whole bunch of good staff that actually cared about the clients and what they are supposed to do! They do not follow their policy or procedures and for sure do not follow the labour board rules. Management only cares about the money and if they don’t have to work. They do not care about your mental health or your family life

If you are looking for a stepping stone to get into policing or a related field and are able to stomach working in a high stress environment, wages that barely cover the cost of living, and immature staff who act like they are in grade 9 then this is the place for you. 

If you are looking to make a difference I would highly recommend applying to open-custody as they have better wages and less stressful working environment.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Cook 1 salary reported	$17.20 per hour
Case manager 1 salary reported	$30.03 per hour

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